ShorePicks - Our experts pick their favorites

Published: Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 1:43 p.m.

2013-2014 Teachers of the Year

Karen Walker, a math teacher at Cedar Grove Middle School, was named Brunswick County's teacher of the year for the 2013-14 school year. Walker has taught at Cedar Grove Middle for four years. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Appalachian State University.

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One of Walker's most memorable lessons is the “What a Difference You Make” project. Students pick a popular celebrity and research how that person gives back to the community. Students track their celebrity's community service, which Walker uses to create math problems. Students are also required to complete 4 hours of community service.

“I would hope that if you asked my students about me or my teaching, they would say, 'She makes it fun and keeps it real,'” Walker said.

Sara Toothman, a visual arts teacher at West Pender Middle School, was named Pender County's teacher of the year for the 2013-14 school year.

Toothman has taught at West Pender Middle for two years. She was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow and received her bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and a master's from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Toothman often uses video games as a learning tool in her classes. Students use Guild Wars, a fantasy role-playing game, to write their own epic fantasy stories. Students also use Minecraft, a construction video game, to learn about architecture.

Toothman's experience in Pender County has made her even more passionate about teaching, she said.

“The way we do business has really changed the way I think about teaching,” she said.

Melissa Gillespie, a history teacher at Laney High School, was named New Hanover County's teacher of the year for the 2013-14 school year.

Gillespie stared teaching at Laney High in 2002. She received three bachelor's degrees from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and got her master's at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Gillespie became a teacher because she thought it was the next best career after becoming a professional student, she said. She tells stories and sings to help her students remember important parts about history, and she ties their lessons to real-life situations and current events.

“I view education as a source of freedom and a way to connect a thirst for knowledge with the will to become something extraordinary,” she said.

– Pressley Baird

Must-see local bands

When it comes to popular music, few things are as exciting as a brash young band playing songs filled with the visceral urgency we all felt during our teen years. Then again, there's no substitute for experience, either, the tight, well-modulated sound that comes with having honed songs to their vital essence. In Southeastern N.C., we're lucky enough to have bands that fit both profiles. Here are two of note.

The young upstarts: They're just in high school, but Wilmington punk duo Astro Cowboy has turned heads on the music scene with explosive garage rock tunes that are as musically transportive as they are lyrically compelling. Who knows what'll happen when singer guitarist Travis Harrington and drummer Kameron Vann go off to college, but for now they're one of the most interesting local bands around.

The grizzled veterans: Actually, the guys in Wilmington's L Shape Lot aren't that old; one or two band members might be in their 40s. It's just that they've been around for so long – about 10 years or so – and gotten so good that it seems like they should be older than they are. Their original country, folk and rock-flavored tunes are pretty much the definition of quality craftsmanship.

Good vegetarian fare in an unusual place

Sealevel City Gourmet's opening earlier this year cemented Nikki Spears as Wilmington's pre-eminent vegetarian chef, but she's certainly not the only cook in town who knows how to treat her greens. Nor do you have to track down a specialty restaurant to satisfy a vegetarian craving.

For a tasty meat-free treat in an unlikely place, swing by the Independence Mall food court. Baba Ghannouj Express is a surprisingly satisfying destination for Mediterranean fare, and its Falafel (a fried chickpea fritter) is among the best version available in the Port City. Other hearty options such as the veggie gyro and eggplant salad should keep vegetarian diners satisfied.

Top dog of the concession stand

My quest for the best ballpark hotdog has spanned the East Coast – and most of my life. Consider my experience: My 15-year-old son has played multiple sports since he was 4, I have attended games of nearly every major college and pro team in the Southeast, and I have tried the dogs at every stop along the way – even the nasty, red-dyed dogs that bled into the bun in Goldsboro and a dog in bread so stale and hard I had to go bunless in Jacksonville. I've even had a dog out of a man's cooler at a makeshift concession stand in Rocky Mount.

I have conquered Nathan's 2-footer at Yankee Stadium; and I still dream of the Island dog with mango and chipotle at the old Orange Bowl in Miami.

Despite that continuing quest, I have yet to find a match for the hotdog at Hugh MacRae Park's ball fields. Though my son aged out of Winter Park Optimist's youth rec program there several years ago, you'll still find me stopping by the WPO concession stand for some dogs to go. A bit pathetic, you say – me reduced to crashing a little league party? I've done worse, and you haven't tried their dogs.

I recommend the classic chili dog with ketchup and mustard; add some slaw or jalapenos if you need a veggie. Winter Park's secret weapons are the chili and the buns, which are steamed to softness before serving. Other pluses: The dogs are made from pork, as God intended, and they cost just $2 each, which means my now-6-foot-2, 225-pound teenager can eat four loaded without breaking the bank.

– Pam Sander

Let your culinary travels take you to Latin America

There's no shortage of terrific Mexican fare in the Port City. Burritos, tacos and enchiladas are on option on seemingly every corner in town. But for a different look at South of the Border cuisine, stay tuned for the soon-to-open La Kumbala (7213 Market St.), which will serve Salvadoran among other Central American standards.

Owner Sergio Umana and his mother, Flor Portillo, have been serving staples from their native El Salvador in Wilmington for a few years now, initially at the recently shuttered El Sombrero Azul.

Their new eatery will continue that tradition in the former Marc's on Market spot, which has been given a swanky nightclub makeover.

Pay particular attention to the pupusas, a hearty stuffed tortilla loaded with beans, cheese or meats that is hand-formed and griddled until golden. These are the tacos of El Salvador, as ubiquitous there (and in Honduras) as the folded tortilla is in Mexico.

Mellowest Manhattan

It's no secret that today's barman has a handful of tricks up his sleeve. And while most of those harken to long-lost traditional skills forgotten in the convenience-crazed recent decades, more than a few new innovations have come along as well. Credited to Portland, Ore., mixmaster Jeffrey Morgenthaler who was playing on the much older trick of bottle aging pre-made drinks, barrel aging is a technique that finds the traditional ingredients, commonly for a Manhattan, spending a few weeks in a micro-sized oak barrel to mellow out.

Hops Supply Co. (5400 Oleander Drive) was the first local adopter of this latest trend in mixology. And the HOPSCO Barrel-Aged Manhattan rings up at a kind $7.50.

A different red meat

Wilmington has plenty of temples dedicated to the worship of red meat, be it flatiron, N.Y. strip or even the hard-to-find hangar steak that floats your boat. But our tasty town also has a few interesting options if you're in the mood for a different take on steak.

If you're unfamiliar with the cow's cousin, try to catch one of the bison burger specials at Wayfarer Delicatessen (110 S. Front St.) in downtown Wilmington. While it may be prepared from ground meat, the rich flavor of North Carolina-raised bison give this hearty half-pound burger an almost steak-like appeal with a friendly price tag.

The offerings vary regularly: pay attention to the deli's Facebook page for availability.

Pass on the tuna and try something new

Given the constantly fluctuating inventories, it's impossible to say who's running the absolute best seafood shop overall. Any one day can find the finest filets in the most unlikely of locations around our fish-crazed town. Monday may find the top tuna at Motts Channel Seafood, but the pristine spots on the other side of town at Ronnie's Crab Shack.

But for the curious, a truly unusual catch isn't hard to find. Call Brian Hepler at Cape Fear Coast Seafood, 8130 Market St.) and ask when his next batch of invasive (and tasty!) lionfish is coming in. Or if octopus is more your speed, he's seen more than a few pass across his counter in recent weeks, often caught fresh in our Intracoastal Waterway the same day.

It isn't advertised, but if you ask nice, Hepler, a former golf pro, may even accept your challenge in a pingpong match for a lower price. But be warned, he's undefeated on the home-court table hidden in the back of his shop.

A place for community

It's not the biggest bookstore in Wilmington by a long shot, but Pomegranate Books, 4418 Park Ave., is a browser's delight, a place to spot novels, memoirs and non-fiction titles you might not have heard about.

Founded in 2005 by Wilmington physician Kathleen Jewell, Pomegranate fills a small former house at the corner of Park and Kerr avenues, and it retains a homey feel. Local authors and local history are specialties, with titles spread around the cash register. A coffee bar sits in back ($1 per cup), with seats for reading, sipping and chatting.

The stock reflects Jewell's interest in women's issues and health affairs; children's books have a whole, large room to themselves. Jewell has turned the store into a meeting place for community groups ranging from the Latino Book Club to the local unit of the N.C. Writers' Network. Local and visiting authors give readings at Pomegranate almost every week; among those who stopped by recently: Jason Mott (“The Returned”) and George Bishop (“Night of the Comet”). The store's website, PomBooks.net, offers reader recommendations on its blog and profiles of area writers.

Top designers at the best prices

If you're 20-something, then you probably already know that Plato's Closet, at 4720 New Centre Drive in Wilmington has the best selection of names you're looking for.

Whether it's 7 or Miss Me jeans or a Coach bag, Plato's Closet is sure to have something you crave. It's also the best place to find deals on other designers, such as Guess, Victoria's Secret, Hurley and Billabong. And while getting a good deal on designer clothes is great, you can also make money cleaning out your closet. Plato's Closet will take those designer clothes you no longer wear and pay you for them.

– Leah Sander

Not your garden variety plant store

Where do you find something unusual for the garden? A plant you can't find anywhere else? For the Wilmington-area garden center with the most plant varieties, visit The Transplanted Garden at 502 S. 16th St. in Wilmington. Co-owners Tom Ericson and Allen Sabin have managed to shoehorn thousands of plants in to their relatively small property at the corner of South 16th and Church streets. You can find tall fragrant snapdragons sharing space with the latest specimen conifers, and unusual vine varieties next to sculptural Japanese maples. While not the largest nursery in town, Transplanted Garden is the place to go for hard-to-find succulents, multiple camellia varieties and citrus plants – both hardy and tender. Plant nerds, this is your mothership. And they also have a huge selection of pottery, fountains and other garden accessories to complement your plants.

– Katie Elzer-Peters

Fun for the whole family

from Wilmington when you visit Mike's Farm, Country Store & Restaurant at 1600 Haw Branch Road in Beulaville .

In the 1980s, Mike Lowe and his wife, Theresa, returned to his childhood family farm to begin working part-time. Over the years, along with daughter, Caitlin, they developed the homestead into a special agri-tourism destination for families to enjoy.

Formerly a plot to raise tobacco and feed the Lowe family, Mike's Farm now features hayrides, pumpkin patches, Christmas trees and a variety of other crops. It's an opportunity for visitors to step into a traditional rural environment.

As with most farms, Mike's Farm is home to a host of animals that children can pet and feed. Included in the bucolic menagerie are rabbits, chickens, peacocks, ducks, turkeys, sheep, goats and favorites Pedro the donkey and Peetie the cow.

That attention to detail can be tasted in the farm-fresh food, which is a big draw for visitors. The farm's restaurant offers family-style dining with an array of options that includes fried chicken, country ham biscuits, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, vegetables and homemade desserts. Mike's Farm also sells baked goods and 28 flavors of fudge.

Details: 324-3422 or www.mikesfarm.com

– John Peaspanen

For the serious singers

Mike Norris has his tricks for when the karaoke singer sounds better in his head than he does to all the patrons at the bar. He might turn the mic volume down a bit or turn the music up. Maybe, he'll get lucky and the crowd will sing along, drowning out the singer.

At Katy's, however, Norris rarely needs to employ any tricks.

“Katy's has the serious karaoke crowd,” Norris said. “They're really into their singing.”

Norris has been running the karaoke party at Katy's on Friday nights for about a year. Some nights the music doesn't stop until the lights come up. His collection of music spans decades. A 40-something performer might belt out Journey's “Don't Stop Believin'” or a college student might get the crowd going with a spirited rendition of Robin Thicke's “Blurred Lines.”

Monaghan said Katy's has hosted karaoke for almost a decade.

“There's some other karaoke bars,” she said, “but we like to think that we're the best.”

<p class="bold allcaps">2013-2014 Teachers of the Year</p>
<p><b>Karen Walker, </b>a math teacher at Cedar Grove Middle School, was named Brunswick County's teacher of the year for the 2013-14 school year. Walker has taught at Cedar Grove Middle for four years. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Appalachian State University.</p><p>One of Walker's most memorable lessons is the “What a Difference You Make” project. Students pick a popular celebrity and research how that person gives back to the community. Students track their celebrity's community service, which Walker uses to create math problems. Students are also required to complete 4 hours of community service.</p><p>“I would hope that if you asked my students about me or my teaching, they would say, 'She makes it fun and keeps it real,'” Walker said. </p><p><b>Sara Toothman, </b>a visual arts teacher at West Pender Middle School, was named Pender County's teacher of the year for the 2013-14 school year. </p><p>Toothman has taught at West Pender Middle for two years. She was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow and received her bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and a master's from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.</p><p>Toothman often uses video games as a learning tool in her classes. Students use Guild Wars, a fantasy role-playing game, to write their own epic fantasy stories. Students also use Minecraft, a construction video game, to learn about architecture. </p><p>Toothman's experience in Pender County has made her even more passionate about teaching, she said. </p><p>“The way we do business has really changed the way I think about teaching,” she said. </p><p><b>Melissa Gillespie, </b>a history teacher at Laney High School, was named New Hanover County's teacher of the year for the 2013-14 school year. </p><p>Gillespie stared teaching at Laney High in 2002. She received three bachelor's degrees from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and got her master's at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. </p><p>Gillespie became a teacher because she thought it was the next best career after becoming a professional student, she said. She tells stories and sings to help her students remember important parts about history, and she ties their lessons to real-life situations and current events. </p><p>“I view education as a source of freedom and a way to connect a thirst for knowledge with the will to become something extraordinary,” she said. </p><p><i>– Pressley Baird</i></p><h3>Must-see local bands</h3>
<p>When it comes to popular music, few things are as exciting as a brash young band playing songs filled with the visceral urgency we all felt during our teen years. Then again, there's no substitute for experience, either, the tight, well-modulated sound that comes with having honed songs to their vital essence. In Southeastern N.C., we're lucky enough to have bands that fit both profiles. Here are two of note.</p><p>The young upstarts: They're just in high school, but Wilmington punk duo Astro Cowboy has turned heads on the music scene with explosive garage rock tunes that are as musically transportive as they are lyrically compelling. Who knows what'll happen when singer guitarist Travis Harrington and drummer Kameron Vann go off to college, but for now they're one of the most interesting local bands around. </p><p>The grizzled veterans: Actually, the guys in Wilmington's L Shape Lot aren't that old; one or two band members might be in their 40s. It's just that they've been around for so long – about 10 years or so – and gotten so good that it seems like they should be older than they are. Their original country, folk and rock-flavored tunes are pretty much the definition of quality craftsmanship. </p><p><i>– <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic38"><b>John Staton</b></a></i></p><h3>Good vegetarian fare in an unusual place</h3>
<p>Sealevel City Gourmet's opening earlier this year cemented Nikki Spears as Wilmington's pre-eminent vegetarian chef, but she's certainly not the only cook in town who knows how to treat her greens. Nor do you have to track down a specialty restaurant to satisfy a vegetarian craving.</p><p>For a tasty meat-free treat in an unlikely place, swing by the <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9966"><b>Independence Mall</b></a> food court. Baba Ghannouj Express is a surprisingly satisfying destination for Mediterranean fare, and its Falafel (a fried chickpea fritter) is among the best version available in the Port City. Other hearty options such as the veggie gyro and eggplant salad should keep vegetarian diners satisfied. </p><p><i>– <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9919"><b>Paul Stephen</b></a></i></p><h3>Top dog of the concession stand</h3>
<p>My quest for the best ballpark hotdog has spanned the East Coast – and most of my life. Consider my experience: My 15-year-old son has played multiple sports since he was 4, I have attended games of nearly every major college and pro team in the Southeast, and I have tried the dogs at every stop along the way – even the nasty, red-dyed dogs that bled into the bun in Goldsboro and a dog in bread so stale and hard I had to go bunless in Jacksonville. I've even had a dog out of a man's cooler at a makeshift concession stand in Rocky Mount.</p><p>I have conquered Nathan's 2-footer at Yankee Stadium; and I still dream of the Island dog with mango and chipotle at the old Orange Bowl in Miami. </p><p>Despite that continuing quest, I have yet to find a match for the hotdog at Hugh MacRae Park's ball fields. Though my son aged out of Winter Park Optimist's youth rec program there several years ago, you'll still find me stopping by the WPO concession stand for some dogs to go. A bit pathetic, you say – me reduced to crashing a little league party? I've done worse, and you haven't tried their dogs. </p><p>I recommend the classic chili dog with ketchup and mustard; add some slaw or jalapenos if you need a veggie. Winter Park's secret weapons are the chili and the buns, which are steamed to softness before serving. Other pluses: The dogs are made from pork, as God intended, and they cost just $2 each, which means my now-6-foot-2, 225-pound teenager can eat four loaded without breaking the bank.</p><p><i>– Pam Sander</i></p><h3>Let your culinary travels take you to Latin America</h3>
<p>There's no shortage of terrific Mexican fare in the Port City. Burritos, tacos and enchiladas are on option on seemingly every corner in town. But for a different look at South of the Border cuisine, stay tuned for the soon-to-open La Kumbala (7213 Market St.), which will serve Salvadoran among other Central American standards.</p><p>Owner Sergio Umana and his mother, Flor Portillo, have been serving staples from their native El Salvador in Wilmington for a few years now, initially at the recently shuttered El Sombrero Azul. </p><p>Their new eatery will continue that tradition in the former Marc's on Market spot, which has been given a swanky nightclub makeover.</p><p>Pay particular attention to the pupusas, a hearty stuffed tortilla loaded with beans, cheese or meats that is hand-formed and griddled until golden. These are the tacos of El Salvador, as ubiquitous there (and in Honduras) as the folded tortilla is in Mexico.</p><p><i>– <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9919"><b>Paul Stephen</b></a></i></p><h3>Mellowest Manhattan</h3>
<p>It's no secret that today's barman has a handful of tricks up his sleeve. And while most of those harken to long-lost traditional skills forgotten in the convenience-crazed recent decades, more than a few new innovations have come along as well. Credited to Portland, Ore., mixmaster Jeffrey Morgenthaler who was playing on the much older trick of bottle aging pre-made drinks, barrel aging is a technique that finds the traditional ingredients, commonly for a Manhattan, spending a few weeks in a micro-sized oak barrel to mellow out. </p><p>Hops Supply Co. (5400 Oleander Drive) was the first local adopter of this latest trend in mixology. And the HOPSCO Barrel-Aged Manhattan rings up at a kind $7.50.</p><p><i>– <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9919"><b>Paul Stephen</b></a></i></p><h3>A different red meat</h3>
<p>Wilmington has plenty of temples dedicated to the worship of red meat, be it flatiron, N.Y. strip or even the hard-to-find hangar steak that floats your boat. But our tasty town also has a few interesting options if you're in the mood for a different take on steak. </p><p>If you're unfamiliar with the cow's cousin, try to catch one of the bison burger specials at Wayfarer Delicatessen (110 S. Front St.) in downtown Wilmington. While it may be prepared from ground meat, the rich flavor of North Carolina-raised bison give this hearty half-pound burger an almost steak-like appeal with a friendly price tag. </p><p>The offerings vary regularly: pay attention to the deli's <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/facebook"><b>Facebook</b></a> page for availability. </p><p><i>– <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9919"><b>Paul Stephen</b></a></i></p><h3>Pass on the tuna and try something new</h3>
<p>Given the constantly fluctuating inventories, it's impossible to say who's running the absolute best seafood shop overall. Any one day can find the finest filets in the most unlikely of locations around our fish-crazed town. Monday may find the top tuna at Motts Channel Seafood, but the pristine spots on the other side of town at Ronnie's Crab Shack.</p><p>But for the curious, a truly unusual catch isn't hard to find. Call Brian Hepler at Cape Fear Coast Seafood, 8130 Market St.) and ask when his next batch of invasive (and tasty!) lionfish is coming in. Or if octopus is more your speed, he's seen more than a few pass across his counter in recent weeks, often caught fresh in our Intracoastal Waterway the same day.</p><p>It isn't advertised, but if you ask nice, Hepler, a former golf pro, may even accept your challenge in a pingpong match for a lower price. But be warned, he's undefeated on the home-court table hidden in the back of his shop.</p><p><i>– <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9919"><b>Paul Stephen</b></a></i></p><h3>A place for community</h3>
<p>It's not the biggest bookstore in Wilmington by a long shot, but Pomegranate Books, 4418 Park Ave., is a browser's delight, a place to spot novels, memoirs and non-fiction titles you might not have heard about. </p><p>Founded in 2005 by Wilmington physician Kathleen Jewell, Pomegranate fills a small former house at the corner of Park and Kerr avenues, and it retains a homey feel. Local authors and local history are specialties, with titles spread around the cash register. A coffee bar sits in back ($1 per cup), with seats for reading, sipping and chatting.</p><p>The stock reflects Jewell's interest in women's issues and health affairs; children's books have a whole, large room to themselves. Jewell has turned the store into a meeting place for community groups ranging from the Latino Book Club to the local unit of the N.C. Writers' Network. Local and visiting authors give readings at Pomegranate almost every week; among those who stopped by recently: Jason Mott (“The Returned”) and George Bishop (“Night of the Comet”). The store's website, PomBooks.net, offers reader recommendations on its blog and profiles of area writers.</p><p><i>– <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic14"><b>Ben Steelman</b></a></i></p><h3>Top designers at the best prices</h3>
<p>If you're 20-something, then you probably already know that Plato's Closet, at 4720 New Centre Drive in Wilmington has the best selection of names you're looking for.</p><p>Whether it's 7 or Miss Me jeans or a Coach bag, Plato's Closet is sure to have something you crave. It's also the best place to find deals on other designers, such as Guess, Victoria's Secret, Hurley and Billabong. And while getting a good deal on designer clothes is great, you can also make money cleaning out your closet. Plato's Closet will take those designer clothes you no longer wear and pay you for them.</p><p><i>– Leah Sander</i></p><h3>Not your garden variety plant store</h3>
<p>Where do you find something unusual for the garden? A plant you can't find anywhere else? For the Wilmington-area garden center with the most plant varieties, visit The Transplanted Garden at 502 S. 16th St. in Wilmington. Co-owners Tom Ericson and Allen Sabin have managed to shoehorn thousands of plants in to their relatively small property at the corner of South 16th and Church streets. You can find tall fragrant snapdragons sharing space with the latest specimen conifers, and unusual vine varieties next to sculptural Japanese maples. While not the largest nursery in town, Transplanted Garden is the place to go for hard-to-find succulents, multiple camellia varieties and citrus plants – both hardy and tender. Plant nerds, this is your mothership. And they also have a huge selection of pottery, fountains and other garden accessories to complement your plants.</p><p><i>– Katie Elzer-Peters</i></p><h3>Fun for the whole family</h3>
<p>from Wilmington when you visit Mike's Farm, Country Store & Restaurant at 1600 Haw Branch Road in Beulaville .</p><p>In the 1980s, Mike Lowe and his wife, Theresa, returned to his childhood family farm to begin working part-time. Over the years, along with daughter, Caitlin, they developed the homestead into a special agri-tourism destination for families to enjoy.</p><p>Formerly a plot to raise tobacco and feed the Lowe family, Mike's Farm now features hayrides, pumpkin patches, <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/holidays02"><b>Christmas</b></a> trees and a variety of other crops. It's an opportunity for visitors to step into a traditional rural environment.</p><p>As with most farms, Mike's Farm is home to a host of animals that children can pet and feed. Included in the bucolic menagerie are rabbits, chickens, peacocks, ducks, turkeys, sheep, goats and favorites Pedro the donkey and Peetie the cow.</p><p>That attention to detail can be tasted in the farm-fresh food, which is a big draw for visitors. The farm's restaurant offers family-style dining with an array of options that includes fried chicken, country ham biscuits, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, vegetables and homemade desserts. Mike's Farm also sells baked goods and 28 flavors of fudge.</p><p>Details: 324-3422 or www.mikesfarm.com</p><p><i>– John Peaspanen</i></p><h3>For the serious singers</h3>
<p>Mike Norris has his tricks for when the karaoke singer sounds better in his head than he does to all the patrons at the bar. He might turn the mic volume down a bit or turn the music up. Maybe, he'll get lucky and the crowd will sing along, drowning out the singer.</p><p>At Katy's, however, Norris rarely needs to employ any tricks.</p><p>“Katy's has the serious karaoke crowd,” Norris said. “They're really into their singing.”</p><p>Norris has been running the karaoke party at Katy's on Friday nights for about a year. Some nights the music doesn't stop until the lights come up. His collection of music spans decades. A 40-something performer might belt out Journey's “Don't Stop Believin'” or a college student might get the crowd going with a spirited rendition of Robin Thicke's “Blurred Lines.”</p><p>Monaghan said Katy's has hosted karaoke for almost a decade.</p><p>“There's some other karaoke bars,” she said, “but we like to think that we're the best.”</p><p><i>– <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic87"><b>Mike Voorheis</b></a></i></p>